Machine performance indicating apparatus



May 13, 1969 us'r ETAL 3,443,426

I MACHINE PERFORMANCE INDICATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1966 Sheet Of 2 INVENTORS FIG. LEE K. AUSTIN W/LFRED 6. MUELLER ATTORNEY May 13, 1969 1.. K. AUSTIN ET MACHINE PERFORMANCE INDICATING APPARATUS Sheet Filed Aug. 8, 1966 INVENTORS LEE K. AUSTIN W/LFRfD 6'. MUELLER FIG. 3

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,443,426 MACHINE PERFORMANCE INDICATING APPARATUS Lee K. Austin, Painted Post, N.Y., and Wilfred G. Mueller, Wayne, N.J., assignors to Ingersoll-Rand Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Aug. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 570,878 Int. Cl. G01m 15/00 U.S. Cl. 73-116 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine performance indicating apparatus comprising a viewing area on which the actual performance of a fluid process machine is shown relative to a predetermined performance of the machine. The actual performance is depicted by a point of light movable relative to a light tube which is itself movable to depict different predetermined performances of the machine.

This invention relates to apparatus for indicating the performance of a machine and has more specific reference to apparatus of this type which is particularly constructed and arranged for indicating the actual performance of a machine relative to a predetermined performance of the machine.

Conventionally, fluid process machines, such as compressors, pumps, and gas engines, are becoming progressively larger in size and increasingly expensive in purchase and operating costs. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important that these machines be operated at maximum performance. However, in order for such machines to be operated at maximum performance, suitable apparatus must be provided for indicating the actual performance of the machines to their respective operators. This indicating apparatus, furthermore, should indicate the actual performance of the machines relative to their maximum performance to facilitate the comparison of these performances by the machine operators.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus which is particularly constructed and arranged for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine, such as a compressor, pump, or gas engine, relative to the maximum performance of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus of the type set forth which, although particularly constructed and arranged for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to its maximum performance, is readily and simply adaptable for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to other predetermined performances of the machine.

Another object is to provide a new and improved apparatus of the type set forth which is particularly constructed and arranged to provide a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to a predetermined performance of the machine continuously throughout the operation of the machine.

The aforegoing objects, and those other objects and advantages of the invention which will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, are attained by the provision of a new and improved apparatus for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to a predetermined performance of the machine. This new and improved apparatus comprises means for providing a viewing area, means for depicting a predetermined performance of the machine on the viewing area,

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and means for depicting the actual performance of the machine on the viewing area relative to the predetermined performance depicted by the predetermined performance depicting means. The actual performance depicting means is movable relative to the predetermined performance depicting means, and is connected to the machine such that the actual performance depicting means is adjusted relative to the predetermined performance depicting means in response to variations in the actual performance of the machine.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus embodying the present invention which is operatively connected to an axial compressor shown partially broken away and in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partially broken away and in section, of the apparatus embodying the present invention which is illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view showing the details of the construction of one of the control valves employed in the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus embodying the present invention which is operatively connected to an axial compressor designated generally as 10. The inlet 12 of the compressor 10 communicates through an inlet conduit 14 with a source (not shown) of the fluid to be compressed by the compressor 10 and tapers from the inlet conduit 14 to accelerate fluid received from the latter. The outlet 16 of the compressor 10 communicates through an outlet conduit 18 with an apparatus (not shown) adapted to receive the fluid compressed by the compressor 10.

The compressor 10 comprises a rotor 20 which is located Within a stator 22 and suitably, spaced from the stator 22 to provide a fluid passage 24 longitudinally between the rotor 20 and the stator 22. The rotor 20 is suitably connected to a driving motor (not shown) to be rotatably driven by the driving motor. The fluid passage 24, as illustrated in FIG. 1, communicates at its opposing ends with the inlet 12 and the outlet 16, and tapers from the inlet 12 towards the outlet 16. The rotor 20 carries a plurality of fluid guide vanes or blades 26, which are rigidly connected to the rotor 20, within the fluid passage 24. The stator 22 carries a plurality of cooperating fluid guide vanes or blades 28 within the fluid passage 24, the guide vanes 28 adjacent the inlet 12 being adjustable relative to their respective adjacent guide 'vanes 26 by the adjusting arms 30 or other suitable conventional means.

The apparatus illustrated as embodying the present invention comprises a viewing instrument designated generally as 32 which includes a translucent viewing area or screen 34. The viewing screen 34 is designed to provide a graphical display and is inscribed with a grid calibrated in accordance with the range of performance possible from the compressor 10. More specifically, the horizontal or x axis 36 of the grid is calibrated in terms of the pressure differential between fluid at different locations in the inlet 12 of the compressor 10. The vertical or y axis 38 of grid is calibrated in terms of the pressure differential between fluid in the inlet 12 and the outlet 16 of'the compressor 10.

The predetermined performance depicted upon the viewing screen 34 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is the performance of the compressor 10 at which compressor surge occurs. This performance is depicted by a neon light tube 40, operatively connected by the electrical leads 42 to a source (not shown) of electrical current, which is contoured in the configuration of the surge curve of the compressor 10. That is, the light tube 40 is contoured in the configuration of a curve which is plotted upon the basis of the occurrence of surge at the different operating speeds of the compressor 10. The light tube 40 is located upon the opposing side of the viewing screen 34 from the operator of the compressor and pivotally connected by a connecting means 44 to the viewing screen 34 at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical axes 36 and 38, respectively, on the viewing screen 34. Alternatively, however, if the light tube 40 be employed with a fluid process machine having fixed guide vanes, it would be fixedly secured at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical axes 36 and 38, respectively.

The light tube 40 is connected to the compressor 10 by a pneumatic motor designated generally as 46 such that the light tube 40 is automatically pivoted upon the adjustment of the adjustable guide vanes 28 to depict the new surge curve resulting from their adjustment. More specifically, the pneumatic motor 46 comprises a cylinder 50 which is pivotally connected to a fixed support 52 by a pivot pin 54, and a piston rod 48 which rigidly carries a piston 56 slidably movable within the cylinder 50. The light tube 40 is rigidly connected to the piston rod 48 such that longitudinal movement of the piston rod 48 automatically provides simultaneous pivotal movement of the light tube 40. The piston 56 is movable to provide longitudinal movement of the piston rod 48 by pressurized air flowing into the cylinder 50 through the conduits 50a, 5012 under the control of a positioner type valve 58 which is carried by the cylinder 50. The positioner type valve 58 receives pressurized air from a source 60 of air under a con.- stant, relatively low pressure through a pneumatic transmitter 62 which is operable to vary the pressure of the pressurized air supplied to the positioner type valve 58 in response to the adjustment of the adjustable guide vanes 28. The positioner type valve 58 also communicates with the source 60 through a conduit 61 to receive pressurized air from the source 60 independently of the pneumatic transmitter 62.

The pneumatic transmitter 62 is connected to the source 60 of constant, relatively low pressure air by a conduit 64 and to the positioner type valve 58 by a conduit 66. The pneumatic transmitter 62 is a diaphragm operated, flapper type valve of conventional constru tion and includes a flapper nozzle (not shown) which is movable to vary the pressure of the pressurized air directed through the conduit 66 in response to variations in the diflerential between the pressure of fluid upon the opposing sides of its diaphragm (not shown). By way of specific example, Type 13A d/p Cell Transmitter manufactured by the Foxboro Company of Foxboro, Mass, could be employed as the pneumatic transmitter 62. A pair of pilot conduits 68 and 70, connected to the fluid passage 24 upon opposing sides of the adjustable guide vanes 28, are connected to the pneumatic transmitter 62 for supplying fluid from the opposing sides of the adjustable guide vanes 28 to the opposing sides of the diaphragm of the pneumatic transmitter 62.

The actual performance of the compressor 10 is depicted upon the viewing screen 34 as a point of light emitted by a light bulb 72 which is located upon the opposing side of the viewing screen 34 from the operator of the compressor 10. The light bulb 72 is connected to a source (not shown) of electrical current by the electrical leads 74. The light bulb 72 is rigidly carried by the piston rod 76 of a horizontally disposed pneumatic motor 78 and is movable by the pneumatic motor 78 in a horizontal plane. The piston rod 76 rigidly carries a piston 80 which is slidably movable within the cylinder 82 of the pneumatic motor 78 in response to pressurized air entering the cylinder 80 through the conduits 82a, 82b. The flow of pressurized air through the conduits 82a, 82b is controlled by a positioner type valve 84 which is carried by the cylinder 82. The positioner type valve 84 is connected to the source 60 of air under constant, relatively low pressure through the conduits 86 and 88, and the pneumatic transmitter 90 which is of a construction identical to that of the pneumatic transmitter 62. A pair of pilot conduits 92 and 94, connected to the inlet 12 and the outlet 16 of the compressor 10, respectively, are connected to the pneumatic transmitter for subjecting the diaphragm of the latter to the diflerential in pressure between fluid in the inlet 12 and the outlet 16 of the compressor 10. The positioner type valve 84 communicates with the source 60 through a conduit 96 to receive pressurized air from the source 60 independently of the pneumatic transmitter 90.

The pneumatic motor 78 is rigidly connected to a supporting platform 98 which is vertically slidable upon a plurality of vertically extending supporting posts 100. The vertical movement of the supporting platform 98 is controlled by a vertically disposed, pneumatic motor 102 which is located below the supporting platform 98. The pneumatic motor 102 comprises a cylinder 104 which is connected by a pin 105 to a fixed support 106, and a piston rod 108 which is rigidly connected to the supporting platform 98 and carries a piston 110 adapted for slidable movement within the cylinder 104. The slidable movement of the piston 110 in the cylinder 104, and hence the vertical movement of the platform 98, is controlled by a positioner type valve 112, carried by the cylinder 104, which alternatively directs pressurized air to the opposing ends of the cylinder 104 through the conduits 104a, 10412.

The positioner type valve 112 is connected to the source 60 of constant, relatively low pressure air through the conduits 114, 116 and the pneumatic transmitter 118. The pneumatic transmitter 118 is of a construction identical to. that of the pneumatic transmitters 62 and 90 and is connected through the pilot conduits 92, 120 and 122 to receive fluid from two different locations in the inlet 12 of the compressor 10. The pneumatic transmitter 118 cmploys the fluid received through the pilot conduits 92, 120 and 122 to subject its contained diaphragm to the differential in pressure between fluid at the two different locations in the inlet 12. The positioner type valve 112 communicates with the source 60 through a conduit 124 to receive pressurized air from the source 60 independently of the pneumatic transmitter 118.

The positioner type valves 58, 84, and 112 are of identical, conventional construction. Thus, although FIG. 3 specifically illustrates the details of the construction of the positioner type valve 58, it will be understood that the illustrated construction of the positioner type valve 58 and the following description thereof are equally applicable to the positioner type valves 84 and 112. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the conduit 61 supplies pressurized air from the source 60 to the positioner type valve 58 for operating the pneumatic motor 46; and the conduit 66 supplies pressurized air from the pneumatic transmitter 62 to the positioner type valve 58 for operating the positioner type valve 58.

More specifically, the positioner type valve 58 comprises a valve chamber 126 which communicates with the conduits 50a, 50b, and 61. A valve stem 130, having a plurality of reduced diameter, valving portions 128 arranged to alternatively communicate the conduit 61 separately with each of the conduits 50a, 50b or close the conduit 61 from communication with either of the conduits 50a, 50b, is slidably disposed within the valve chamber 126. The valve stem 130 is biased by a spring 132 into engagement with one end of an operating lever 134 which is pivotable about fulcrum 136 located intermediate its ends. The opposing end of the operating lever'134 is rigidly connected by a pin 138 to one end of a spring 140 which is connected at its opposing end to an actuating arm 142 rigidly carried by the piston rod 48 of the pneumatic motor 46. The conduit 66 communicates with a bellows 144 which is connected to the operating lever 134 between the fulcrum 136 and the engagement of the valve stem 130 with the operating lever 134 for supplying pressurized air to the bellows 144.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the pressurized air supplied by the conduit 66 to the bellows 144 controls the pivotal movement of the operating lever 134 about the fulcrum 136 to thereby control the supply of pressurized air from the conduit 61 to the pneumatic motor 46. The positioner type valves 84 and 112, as was aforedescribed, are of constructions identical to that of the positioner type valve 58 and thus are provided with actuating arms 146, 148 and springs 150, 152, respectively, corresponding in function to the actuating arm 142 and the spring 140 of the positioner type valve 58.

In the operation of the compressor 10, the major portion of the fluid flowing from the inlet conduit 14 into the inlet 12 is compressed in the fluid passage 24 and thence discharged through the outlet 16 to the outlet conduit 18. A minor portion of the fluid in the inlet 12, however, flows through the pilot conduits 92, 120, and 122 to the pneumatic transmitters 90 and 118. Similarly, a minor portion of the fluid in the fluid passage 24 flows through the pilot conduits 68, 70 to the pneumatic transmitter 62; and a minor portion of the fluid in the outlet 16 flows through the pilot conduit 94 to the pneumatic transmitter 90.

The fluid flowing through the pilot conduits 68, 70 to the pneumatic transmitter 62 acts upon the diaphragm of the pneumatic transmitter 62 to control the pressure of the pressurized air flowing through the conduit 66 to the bellows 144 of the positioner type valve 58. Thus, the valve stem 130 of the positioner type valve 58 is actuated to cause suflicient pressurized air from the conduit 61 to be directed into the cylinder 50 for properly positioning the light tube 40 on the viewing screen 34. After the light tube 40 has been positioned in accordance with the ad justment of the adjustable guide vanes 28 of the compressor 10, the light tube 40 will remain stationary throughout the operation of the compressor unless the adjustable guide vanes 28 be readjusted.

The fluid flowing through the pilot conduits 92, 94 to the pneumatic transmitter 90 acts upon the diaphragm of the pneumatic transmitter 90 to control the pressure of the pressurized air flowing through the conduit 88 to the bellows (not shown) of the positioner type valve 84. Thus, the valve stem (not shown) of the positioner type valve 84 is actuated to cause suflicient pressurized air from the conduit 96 to be directed into the cylinder 82 to properly position the light bulb 72 in a horizontal plane. Furthermore, if the differential between the pressure of the fluid in the pilot conduits 92, 94 varies during the operation of the compressor 10, the horizontal position of the light bulb 72 will be automatically readjusted by the positioner type valve 84 under the control of the pressurized air flowing from the pneumatic transmitter 90.

The fluid flowing through the pilot conduits 92, 120, and 122 to the pneumatic transmitter 118 acts upon the diaphragm of the pneumatic transmitter 118 to control the pressurized air flowing through the conduit 116 to the bellows (not shown) of the positioner type valve 112. Thus, the valve stem (not shown) of the positioner type valve 112 is actuated to cause suflicient pressurized air from the conduit 124 to be directed into the cylinder 104 to vertically position the pneumatic motor 78. This vertical positioning of the pneumatic motor 78, as well be seen, moves the light bulb 72 in a vertical plane to provide vertical adjustment of the light bulb 72. Furthermore, if the differential between the pressure of the fluid in the pilot conduits 120, 122 varies during the operation of the compressor 10, the positioner type valve 112 and pneumatic transmitter 118 automatically readjust the vertical position of the pneumatic motor 78 to provide proper vertical positioning of the light bulb 72 throughout the operation of the compressor 10.

Although we have hereinbefore illustrated and described only one embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that our invention is not limited merely to the hereinbefore illustrated and described embodiment, but contemplates other embodiments and variations employing the concepts and teachings of the disclosed embodiment of our invention. It will also be understood that, although the illustrated and described embodiment of our invention has been shown and described with reference to an axial compressor, our invention is readily and simply adaptable for employment with other fluid process machines such as, for example, other types of compressors, pumps, and gas engines.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. An apparatus for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to a predetermined performance of said machine, comprismg:

means for providing a viewing area;

means for depicting a predetermined performance of saidmachine on said viewing area;

means for depicting the actual performance of said machine on said viewing area;

said actual performance depicting means being movable relative to said predetermined performance depicting means;

means for connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine to make said actual performance depicting means movable in response to variations in the actual performance of said machine; and means for moving said predetermined performance depicting means such that the latter may depict different predetermined performances of said machine.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said machine includes adjustable guide vanes, and said means for moving said predetermined performance depicting means is connected to move the latter in response to adjustment of said guide vanes.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said machine includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, and said means connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine comprises means for moving said actual performance depicting means in response to differences in pressure between fluid in the inlet and fluid in the outlet and also comprises means for moving said actual performance depicting means in response to differences between fluid at different locations in the inlet.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving said predetermined performance depicting means and said means for connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine comprise fluid motor means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined performance depicting means is of tubular configuration and said actual performance depicting means is in the configuration of a point.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said actual and predetermined performance depicting means are each electrically operated light sources, and means are provided for connecting said actual and predetermined performance depicting means to a source of electrical current.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine comprises a first fluid motor connected to said actual performance depicting means for moving the latter in a first plane and a second fluid motor connected to said actual performance depicting means for moving the latter in a second plane, said machine includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, means are provided for connecting one of said fluid motors to the inlet of said machine to actuate said one of said fluid motors in response to the difference in pressure between fluid at different locations in the inlet of said machine, and means are provided for connecting the other of said fluid motors to the inlet and the outlet of said machine to actuate said other fluid motor in response to the pressure differential between fluid in the inlet and the outlet.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said machine includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, and said means connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine comprises means for moving said actual performance depicting means in response to differences in pressure between fluid in the inlet and the fluid in the outlet.

9. A apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said machine includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, and said means connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine comprises means for moving said actual performance depicting means in response to differences in pressure between fluid at different locations in the inlet.

10. An apparatus for providing a visual display of the actual performance of a fluid process machine relative to a predetermined performance of said machine, comprising:

means for providing a viewing area;

means for depicting a predetermined performance of said machine on said viewing area;

means for depicting the actual performance of said machine on said viewing area;

said actual performance depicting means being movable relative to said predetermined performance depicting means; and means for connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine to make said actual performance depicting means movable in response to variations in the actual performance of said machine;

said means for connecting said actual performance depicting means to said machine including a first fluid motor connected to said actual performance depicting means for moving the latter in a first plane, and a second fluid motor connected to said actual performance depicting means for moving the latter in a second plane.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said machine includes an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, means are provided for connecting one of said fluid motors to the inlet of said machine to actuate said one of said fluid motors in response to the difference in pressure between fluid at different locations in the inlet of said machine, and means are provided for connecting the other of said fluid motors to the inlet and the outlet of said machine to actuate said other fluid motor in response to the pressure differential between fluid in the inlet and the outlet.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined performance depicting means is of tubular configuration and said actual performance depicting means is in the configuration of a point.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said actual and predetermined performance depicting means are each electrically operated light sources, and means are provided for connecting said actual and predetermined performance depicting means to a source of electrical current.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said machine includes adjustable guide vanes, and a third fluid motor connects said predetermined performance depicting means with said adjustable guide vanes to move said predetermined performance depicting means in response to adjustment of said guide vanes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,115,530 11/1914 Hammond. 1,894,421 1/1933 Latzko et a1. 2,485,343 10/1949 Zuschlag 340-182 3,025,670 3/1962 Russ 73-1173 X 3,195,349 7/1965 Hage 73117.3 3,272,004 9/1966 Haverl 73-117.3

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

JERRY W. MYRACLE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 116-414 

